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Each year we at FRONT ROW are supporting our local charity St. Michael's Hospice by curating a catwalk section with clothes sourced in the hospice shops.

ST. MICHAEL'S CATWALK COLLECTION

"Pagan Goddess"by Ditte Hartwig

I have been involved with FRONT ROW backstage for some years now but this is the first time I’m able to curate a collection for the “Gods & Monsters” show in honour of our local St. Michael’s Hospice, a charity we have been supporting at FRONT ROW.

I’m always inspired by customizing clothes from second hand shops and it is fantastic that I was able to source all outfits for tonight’s catwalk section from St.Michael’s Hospice Charity shops in the area. The entire collection will be available to buy there after the show. The inspiration for the set comes from pagan traditions, which are so rich on the British Isles. Celts, Vikings, Saxons and the Romans all brought their gods to this country, mingled together, influenced each other and became one.

These gods and goddesses symbolised powers for survival in an unexplained world. They represent nature and wilderness, hunting, sex and the cycle of life.

I would like to thank all my models and volunteers for their involvement and help.

Having an advanced illness can raise all sorts of practical, physical, spiritual and emotional issues, which affect not only the patient, but their family and friends too. Since St. Michael’s Hospice St. Leonards-on-Sea opened in 1987 the organisation has cared for more than 12,500 people with life limiting illnesses in the Hastings and Rother area.

St. Michael’s hospice is more than just a building but believe that, as well as expert medical care, it is just as important to care for a person’s practical, social, spiritual and emotional needs too. They provide care, not only within the Hospice, but also in the community. Many of their patients are cared for at home with skilled nursing support or night sitting services and the hospice also has a Day Therapy Centre which offers respite, good company and support. They offer a holistic approach to care, aiming to meet people’s individual needs.

All services in the community and the Hospice are provided free of charge and with equal access to all in need. The hospice is grateful for the continued generosity of our community, without which it would not be able to provide care and support to local people.

For more information about their services and how to become a volunteer please visit www.stmichaelshospice.org

St. Michael’s Hospice is hosting a large second hand and vintage clothing stall at the FRONT ROW Fashion Show and Fair on the 30th November.

Many thanks to Tony Holtham & Susie Pybus and their team of helpers for their support.

Every year FRONT ROW supports their two favourite charities buy curating a catwalk section and help raise awareness and funds for their important work in the community.

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST

Terrence Higgins Trust are the largest voluntary sector provider of HIV and sexual health services in the UK, running services out of local centres across Great Britain.

The range and availability of services provided at any one centre depends on the needs of the community they serve. Their local services fall into three areas:

Long Term Condition Management THT have nearly thirty years of experience of working with and advocating on behalf of people with HIV. Supporting people with HIV to live healthily and well with their condition remains central to their work.

THT offer advice on benefits, housing and employment for people with HIV who need help in getting their legal entitlements. Their advice is accredited by Community Legal Services and is available over the phone via the THT

Direct helpline or on the web, or face-to-face in some centres.

Health Improvement THT work in communities to promote better sexual health, particularly among those groups at risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

They are the lead provider of the national HIV prevention program - HIV Prevention England, and provide information about HIV and better sexual health through posters, campaigns and leaflets, targeting large areas of the population by campaigns such as National HIV testing week, as well as more hard to reach groups.

Clinical services THT provide a range of clinical services offering testing for HIV and other STIs as well as treatment for non-complex STIs; some of their clinics also offer an integrated contraception service.

To raise awareness of their important work in the community, Terrence Higgins Trust will be featured on tonight’s catwalk with a curated section called ‘Demi-Gods’ styled by Conor Reading Styling as well as an information stall and fantastic raffle so please give generously.

Many thanks to Daniel Murray, Luke Drunis and their team of dedicated volunteers.

I have been a Stylist for 3 years and have worked for the Independent Newspaper, Brighton Fashion Week and the Brighton Fashion week Newspaper , Nameless Rebellion Magazine and Sussex Coast College to name a few, as well as doing numerous other photo shoots, fashion shows, music videos, clients and events.

This is my second year styling at Front Rowand showcasing works for the Terrence Higgins Trust. This year I have gone for a modern take on the Greek mythological Gods. It has been a lot of fun to produce, design and organise for. For me Front Row is always my big finale of the year. I love working with Front Row as it has become so big and is so much fun to curate, organise and be creative for.

With my styling I specialise in editorial photo shoots, and fashion shows. With editorials I enjoy going a little crazy and outlandish and creating an image with the designer or photographer that can be published and printed. For the fashion shows that I do, the excitement and fast-paced atmosphere is what gets me going. I have a love of magazines and newspapers and print in general and in the near future I am planning on starting my own magazine.

I grew up in Hamburg, Germany and although I have been working with textiles for a while, I started making paper sculptures during my Illustration Degree at Brighton University to combine my equal fascination with clothes/fashion and paper as a tactile and incredibly versatile medium. I was able to develop this concept creating Paper Couture collections for FRONT ROW in a number of one-off collections that afterwards were destroyed. My paper dresses are based on the old-fashioned couture idea, they are constructed rather than originate from a pattern and they demand attitude. My gowns only last the event they are made for… they are never really owned.

I did a recent photoshoot with photographer Tim Nathan indulging in the darker side of fairy tales and the struggle of innocence and evil and decay, a theme I am playing with in my upcoming collection for FRONT ROW Gods & Monster 2013. The story is called “The Fallen” about angels that have fallen from Heaven, painfully and desperately struggling with mortality on Earth. Angels to Humans. Wings to Flesh. Love to Money.

My dream job would be to fill the Christmas windows at Harvey Nichols with Paper Couture or work with the English National Opera designing paper costumes.

The inspiration for their collection comes from the fearsome and powerful female monsters in Greek mythology. The idea was to create a collection that showed both elegance and power. Amazonian armor and the legend of Hippolyta’s belt inspired the design for the corsetry and jewellery, which were designed and made by Sean. The dresses are inspired by femme fatales and Grecian goddesses and are designed and made by Kerry.

During the third year at College, Sean Shoesmith re-discovered his love for fashion and design so he taught himself how to sew and pattern cut with the assistance of some very good friends, one of which was Kerry. He found a love for designing and making lingerie and burlesque costumes. Since then he has made corsets, costumes and jewellery for performers, started a Facebook page called ‘Made in Sussex’ for young designers, photographers, stylists and models as well as setting up his own design page ‘Burlessories'.

Kerry Blackford's passion for dressmaking began with a secondary school textile course developing her skills as a dressmaker and graduating from Brighton University, producing a portfolio of work ranging from fashion illustrations to a 6 piece garment collection. With the amazing support network of her family and friends Kerry has begun building her own dressmaking and alteration business “KezThreadz”. She has tried her hand at making costumes, home ware and furnishings and alterations.

Sam Lewis has been designing clothes and garments for over 2 years
and is embracing the many creative challenges. He mixes
wearable with non-wearable garments and uses innovative techniques.

This collection for FRONT ROW 2013 has been a bit trial and error according to Sam, it being
the first time he created a fantastical collection consisting of mostly corseted outfits.

Sam is firmly established in the performing arts and is currently studying musical
theatre at Northbrook College, Worthing. His future ambition is to work in
costume and to learn how a garment is constructed and finding out about new technique.

Makoto Iso is a international dancer who has featured in movies in and around London. Other work includes: "King and I" national tour and "Hello Dolly" as well as TV commercials for Sony and HSBC and music videos "White Lies" and Rock Solid Mafia

Here a few words about Knitty Gritty Clothing"The world of luxury knitwear and delicate fabrics
inspiring a new range of Urban Clothing, that uses hand crafted fabrics
and Knitwear to create fashion fit for comfort and the street. Taking from raw attitudes & elements of the streets, graffiti and the Fashion forward generation. Garments are Rich in texture and dimension, hand crafted and individually designed."Knitty
Gritty Clothing is about a lifestyle - rather then disposable fashion,
it's about quality fabrics and yarns, achieving a unique look through the
design."

Lorna Fraser has studied fashion, art and design at Sussex Coast
College for two years, during this time she met a millinery teacher who came in for guest lectures and was instantly bitten by the 'hat making bug'.

Since completing her studies, Lorna has been busy gaining more
experience in millinery techniques, as well as staging her first exhibition
along with a group of other local talented milliners in a gallery in St. Leonards. All her designes for the upcoming FRONT ROW catwalk
are heart shaped and made in sinamay with a vintage lace look including daisies
and pearls paying a modern day homage to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Lorna Fraser Millinery designs are timeless, fantastic to wear at the races, for mother of the bride or
the bride therself.

This is the first time Lorna is showing a collection for FRONT ROW and we do hope there will be many more.

Lorna would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers for
this front row opportunity, and her stunning models for helping me create her vision!

She is currently working on a blog and website and can be
contacted for commissions on

This
will be Daisy West's 4th year taking part in FRONT ROW so she is a bit of a veteran having started off by modeling, then entering the
Charity Shop Challenge and now creating her own collections. This year her catwalk theme is
'Angels & Demons', her aim to emphasise the contrast between the two,
the graciousness and purity of the angels and the darkness and evil of the
demons.

Daisy is currently looking to get into the fashion/retail industry and hopes
to have her own fashion label in the future. As FRONT ROW is bigger and more elaborate each year she is always up to the challenge. With her mother and grandmothers help and support, her 2013 collection features ten outfits.

Daisy's team includes Alice Maclean (hair and makeup) and Charlie Maclean (music).

We have the absolute pleasure to announce that EYES THAT KILL will be performing a set at the FRONT ROW "Gods and Monsters" Fashion Show in the bar area of the De La Warr Pavilion. A last minute addition we are very excited about.

"My mission as an artist is to transport the viewer closer to their own magic, their inner beauty and that of the World."

A multimedia and performance artist,
Thierry Alexandre will premiere his latest live installation in the foyer of
the De La Warr before the staged show begins. His living sculpture is
inspired by the current environmental issues humanity faces, and
his performance mesmerizes the audience into a timeless realm, where
human body and natural elements collide spectacularly.

There will be no
photography or filming allowed for this performance as requested per the
artist.

Thierry's work will also be featured
in Freya von Bulow’s Paper Couture collection on the catwalk in form of face jewellery created in collaboration with Freya.

John Wilson and Lily Kim make up the ethereal
acoustic duo Eskimo Kiss, propelled by haunting harmonies and bewitching
guitar. John is a BIMM graduate from Hastings. Lily has a classical background
hailing from Berkeley California.

Having watched previous shows with admiration
through hungry twinkling eyes, they feel fortunate to be able to add to the
vibrant and beating heart of Front Row. The creative spark of our community
never ceases to inspire them as artists, they're enjoying orchestrating their take on
fallen angels, the divine and creatures of the night.

Eskimo Kiss are currently recording our EP, to check
out more please visit their facebook or find them on soundcloud under
eskimokissmusic or email on eskimokissmusic@yahoo.com

Eskimo Kiss will be performing at the beginning of the catwalk show.

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iDOLRiCH theatrerotto

Julia Dunbar McLean

Hastings based iDOLRiCH Theatrerotto tours
the UK and on the continent with a repertoire of puppet performances and
events for adults and younger audiences. Described as "A tonic for the imagination"
iDOLRiCH shows are cutting edge both in terms of style and content, the latest
adult performance being FIELD of ASPHODEL a Greek creation myth
re-telling created by the company's artistic director Julia Dunbar
McLean. THE MODEL (see picture) told a visual story of the life of
super 60's model Jean Shrimpton with her own contributions
including a gallery of her photos taken by David Bailey.

iDOLRiCH also
works in the local community with a raft of training workshops, most
recently in settings with senior citizens and with women of refugee
or asylum seeking status with opportunities for apprentices and volunteers
to gain experience in a working theatre company.

We are excited that iDOLRiCH will be performing as part of the catwalk at FRONT ROW.

the following designers to be featured at this year's fashion catwalk and performance art event to be held on Saturday, 30th November 2013 at the De La Warr Pavilion with collections including recycled, secondhand customized, re-worked and vintage elements:

1. Dead Lucky Designs
(Lucia Conte and Marcia Thompson)

2. Lorna Fraser Millinery

3. Sean Shoesmith and Kerry Blackford

4. Maggie Kaczmarek

5. Daisy West

6. Samuel Lewis and Maddie Collins

7. Christopher Steele and Kay Avery

8. Francis Fifi Millinery

9. Charles of London

10. Freya von Bulow Paper Couture

There will also be

11. a catwalk section for St. Michael's Hospice curated and styled by Ditte Hartwig with garments sourced from St. Michael's Hospice charity shops

"In 1985 I had the opportunity to go grape-picking in Crete, I stayed far too long and time stopped.
As the sun grew hotter and the days rolled on my skin went black, my hair went white and I cut up what few clothes I had, smaller and smaller. A jacket became a waistcoat, jeans became shorts, a T-shirt a vest. This was real recycling, I had no choice the heat was eating me up. Then as the nights grew colder a rug became a blanket, a tablecloth a skirt.

I returned to England that autumn in my recycled patchwork rags to study fashion at St. Leonards on Sea, the real culture shock had begun.

I have always had a love and an affintity with these two strange places. Historic, untouched as if caught in time and when the sun shines they are so similar in many ways."

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Everyone at FRONT ROW is very excited to be having Christoper & Kay showing their stunning designs on the catwalk.